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More federal help now available for Oklahomans eligible under CARES Act

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Updated: 6:52 PM CDT Apr 20, 2020

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APPLIES TO. REPORTER: IT IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. WITH SO MANY BUSINESSES STILL CLOTHED, THIS APPLIES TO YOU IF YOU ARE A GIG WORKERS OR IF YOU ARE AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. I TALKED TODAY TO A FORMER HAIRSTYLIST WHO IS HELPING OTHERS MANAGE THE SYSTEM. >> I’M TRYING TO GIVE THEM HOPE, BUT THEY ARE SCARED. THEY ARE TERRIFIED. REPORTER: SHE IS ON FURLOUGH AND GOT APPROVED FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. BUT SHE STARTED HELPING A FACEBOOK GROUP OF ABOUT EIGHTY STYLISTS FIGURE OUT HOW THEY SHOULD APPLY, WHICH HAS TURNED INTO BASICALLY A FULL TIME JOB. >> I HAVE NOT HAD ONE DAY OFF UNTIL LAST WEDNESDAY I DECIDED I SAID, GUYS I’M TAKING A BREAK. REPORTER: THAT GROUP HAS NOW GROWN TO MORE THAN A THOUSAND PEOPLE, RELYING ON BECK BECAUSE OF LONG WAIT TIMES WITH UNEMPLOYMENT. >> I’VE GOTTEN SOME HEARTBREAKING STORIES. A LOT OF THEM ARE SINGLE MOMS AND THEIR LANDLORDS AREN’T WORKING WITH THEM. THEY DON’T KNOW HOW THEY’RE GONNA PAY THEIR HOME RENT, AND NOT ALL SALONS ARE ABLE TO OFFER NO BOOTH RENT FOR THEM. REPORTER: THAT PRE-APPLICATION OPEN, BUT WHEN PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY GET PAID IS STILL UNCLEAR. >> I THINK IT MIGHT A WAKEUP CALL THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD SAVE A LITTLE BIT, HAVE RAINY DAY FUNDS . BUT SOMETIMES EVERYBODY IS NOT IN A SITUATION THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH INCOME TO MAKE IT LAST. REPORTER: NOBODY WAS PREPARED FOR A SITUATION LIKE THIS. THAT PRE-APPLICATION IS UP ON THE WEBSITE. WE HAVE A LINK TO HOW TO GET THERE ON THE KOCO WEBSITE. EVEN THOUGH THE PRE-APPLICATION IS NOW UP, THE STATE IS STILL WAITING ON MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. WE STILL DON’T KNOW WHEN PEOPLE WILL START GETTING BENEF

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More federal help now available for Oklahomans eligible under CARES Act

Julie Beck is a former hairdresser who is now a sales representative working with local salons.She's now on furlough and was approved for unemployment. But Beck started helping a Facebook group of about 80 stylists to figure out how they should apply, which basically has turned into a full-time job."I have not had one day off until last Wednesday" Beck said. "I decided, I said, 'Guys, I'm taking a break.'"That group has now grown to more than 1,000 people who rely on Beck because of long wait times with unemployment."I've gotten some heartbreaking stories of ... a lot of them are single moms and they don't know -- their landlords aren't working with them -- they don't know how they're going to pay their home rent, and not all salons are able to offer no-booth rent for them," Beck said.The unemployment application for people who are eligible for the CARES Act is now open, but it's still unclear when people can actually get paid."I think, probably, it might be a wake-up call that maybe should save a little bit, have rainy day funds," Beck said." But, sometimes, everybody is not in a situation that they have enough income to make it last."People who are eligible for unemployment under the CARES Act can fill out an application here. Oklahoma officials are waiting on funding from the federal government for the CARES Act, but there is no set date for when people will see money.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

Julie Beck is a former hairdresser who is now a sales representative working with local salons.

She's now on furlough and was approved for unemployment. But Beck started helping a Facebook group of about 80 stylists to figure out how they should apply, which basically has turned into a full-time job.

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"I have not had one day off until last Wednesday" Beck said. "I decided, I said, 'Guys, I'm taking a break.'"

That group has now grown to more than 1,000 people who rely on Beck because of long wait times with unemployment.

"I've gotten some heartbreaking stories of ... a lot of them are single moms and they don't know -- their landlords aren't working with them -- they don't know how they're going to pay their home rent, and not all salons are able to offer no-booth rent for them," Beck said.

The unemployment application for people who are eligible for the CARES Act is now open, but it's still unclear when people can actually get paid.

"I think, probably, it might be a wake-up call that maybe should save a little bit, have rainy day funds," Beck said." But, sometimes, everybody is not in a situation that they have enough income to make it last."

People who are eligible for unemployment under the CARES Act can fill out an application here. Oklahoma officials are waiting on funding from the federal government for the CARES Act, but there is no set date for when people will see money.